nice to have met you
Strictly’s Tess Daly breaks down after Bruce Forsyth gets emotional tribute during show launch
STRICTLY'S Tess Daly and viewers sobbed as contestants and dancers paid tribute to the late Bruce Forsyth, who died aged 89 last month.
The Strictly professionals performed the TV legend’s famous pose after performing a classic dance inspired by the man, whose catchphrase was "Nice to meet you, to meet you - nice."
16
16
The song the dancers performed to was swing hit Fly Me To The Moon, the song Brucie sang on the show back when he presented it.
At the end, they all pulled Brucie's famous pose - before the judges and audience gave the dance a standing ovation.
His former co-host Tess Daly was crying as she quipped: "Didn't he do well!"
And viewers couldn't keep it together either as they remembered the TV personality, who also famously hosted Play Your Cards Right.
They flocked to Twitter to declare they were in tears as the montage played.
"One person is in our hearts and our thoughts and that is Brucie," said Tess before the emotional montage of memories was played.
His jokes and put-downs were remembered faithfully, as well as his tendency to call the bad dancers on the show "[his] favourite".
16
16
"He was so warm, so loving, the kindest man in the whole world," said an emotional Claudia.
And as they showed him saying "Keep dancing!" with Tess, viewers were reaching for the tissues.
16
16
And it looks like it was all incredibly moving on set as contestant Rev Richard’s Cole tweeted after the dance was filmed: “#Strictly dancers’ tribute to Brucie. Everybody CRIED.”
Last month The Sun reported that Strictly would be remembering Bruce, who died aged 89, with a big old dance.
Strictly’s executive producer Louise Rainbow said at the time: “The thoughts of everyone here are still very much with Sir Bruce’s family.
“Of course, we will be paying tribute to Sir Bruce at our launch show and this will include a heartfelt performance from our Strictly professional dancers.
“We all want to celebrate him and all that he loved about the show. Sir Bruce was, and will always be, a huge part of Strictly Come Dancing.”
16
16
Strictly Come Dancing returns tonight for its 15th series with a new judge and three new professional dancers.
New judge Shirley Ballas, 56, makes her debut as Len Goodman's replacement after he retired his paddle following 12 years of dishing out "tens from Len".
Most Read in Showbiz & TV
The returning professional dancer line-up features Strictly originals Brendan Cole and Anton Du Beke as well as other favourites like Gorka Marquez, Aljaz Skorjanec, Karen Clifton, Katya Jones and Oti Mabuse.
16
16
The three new professional dancers are Australian Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova from Ukraine and Amy Dowden from Wales.
Last year's winning couple, sports presenter Ore Oduba and dancer Joanne Clifton, will also take to the floor.
This year's line-up of celebrities includes Good Morning Britain newsreader Charlotte Hawkins, This Morning host Ruth Langsford and The Saturdays singer Mollie King.
16
16
16
Other musicians hoping to impress with their feet and not their voices are former JLS star Aston Merrygold and X Factor winner Alexandra Burke.
Also hoping to shimmy their way to Glitterball glory are TV chef Simon Rimmer, EastEnders' Davood Ghadami, Holby City star Joe McFadden and actress Chizzy Akudolu.
16
16
They will go up against Communards star, turned vicar, the Rev Richard Coles, paralympian Jonnie Peacock, comedian Susan Calman and Debbie McGee.
Completing the line-up is soap star and radio presenter Gemma Atkinson and entertainer Brian Conley.
During Saturday's launch show, viewers will also discover who this year's contestants have been paired with.
16
A two-week break will follow where the couples will rehearse their first routine before returning to impress Ballas and the returning judging trio of Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell and Bruno Tonioli.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will once again present the main show while Zoe Ball will front BBC Two spin-off It Takes Two.
Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220.
We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
Topics